Málaga, Spain – Cindy Teperman, the producer behind the Golden Globe-winning and Oscar-nominated film “Argentina, 1985,” is joining forces with Argentine director Lorena Muñoz for her upcoming feature, “Why Did You Come Back Every Summer?” (“Por qué volvías cada verano?”). The project, adapted from a deeply personal memoir, is set to be presented at the 2026 Málaga Festival Fund & Co-Production Event (MAFF), where producers will seek additional co-producers and international sales representation. This collaboration marks a significant step for the film, poised to tackle a sensitive and important subject matter with a team boasting considerable international experience.
Muñoz, known for her 2016 biopic “I Am Gilda,” which celebrated the life of cumbia singer Gilda, is turning her attention to a dramatically different story. “Why Did You Come Back Every Summer?” delves into the long-lasting trauma of childhood sexual abuse and the challenges faced by survivors seeking justice. The film’s development is a co-production between Argentina and Spain, involving CT Producciones, Mostra Cine, and Madrid-based Atrece Creaciones, signaling a growing trend of cross-border collaboration in Latin American cinema.
Teperman’s involvement brings substantial weight to the project. As part of Infinity Hill, a prominent Argentine production company, she has a track record of supporting critically acclaimed and internationally recognized films. Infinity Hill’s portfolio includes titles such as “Puan,” “Animal,” “Kill the Jockey,” “The Woman in the Line,” the 2025 Sundance title “The Virgin of Quarry Lake,” and, notably, “The Freshly Cut Grass,” a previous collaboration with Mostra Cine and legendary director Martin Scorsese. Variety reports that Teperman’s participation underscores the film’s potential for reaching a global audience.
A Story Rooted in Personal Experience
The screenplay, co-written by Muñoz and Argentine journalist-author Josefina Licitra, is based on Belén López Peiró’s book “Por qué volvías cada verano?” The narrative centers on Lourdes, a young girl whose summers are spent with her mother’s family in a seemingly idyllic rural town. This tranquility is shattered by the abuse she suffers at the hands of her uncle, a respected figure within the local police force. Years later, when Lourdes attempts to report the abuse, she faces not only her aggressor but too a community resistant to acknowledging the truth and a judicial system that places the burden of proof squarely on the victim.
Muñoz articulated her connection to the material, stating, “When I read the novel, I understood that I was not just facing a story of abuse, but an act of transformation,” according to Wutshot. “Belén did more than denounce: she wrote, and turned pain into a form of resistance. As a director, I feel the responsibility to honor that courage with a film that does not re-victimize, but listens, that looks with humanity and invites reflection.”
Expanding Collaboration and Production Timeline
The Málaga Festival Fund & Co-Production Event (MAFF) will be a crucial platform for the producers to secure further investment and distribution deals. Anna Saura, leading Madrid-based Atrece Creaciones, is also presenting her directorial debut, “The Kid in the Photo,” a documentary about her father, the acclaimed Spanish director Carlos Saura, at the festival. This partnership between Mostra Cine and Atrece Contenidos, as highlighted by Yahoo Entertainment, demonstrates a strong working relationship and a commitment to fostering international co-productions.
Production for “Why Did You Come Back Every Summer?” is currently slated to begin in the second quarter of 2027. The project has already received early development support from the Carolina Foundation Development Program, an Ibermedia development grant, the Guadalajara Coproduction Meeting, and the Iberseries Pitching Program, indicating a strong level of confidence in its potential. The film’s development reflects a broader trend of increased focus on stories addressing social issues and challenging established power structures within the Latin American film industry.
The producers are hoping to capitalize on the growing international recognition of Argentine cinema, building on the success of films like “Argentina, 1985,” which garnered both Golden Globe and Oscar nominations. The film’s exploration of trauma, justice, and community response promises to resonate with audiences globally, and the team’s combined experience positions it for a significant impact on the festival circuit and beyond.
As “Why Did You Come Back Every Summer?” moves closer to production, the Málaga Festival will be a key event to watch for further developments. The project’s success could pave the way for more challenging and important stories to be told within the Latin American film landscape.
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